Things do not look very promising for a 2010 Mahoning Valley Thunder season.  All office positions were laid off this past week and the word I have received is that the only way the Youngstown-based AF2 franchise will return is if they are sold.

I started questioning the future before the last game when I saw a 50% off of all Thunder merchandise.  I was told by everyone I asked that the 50% off merchandise was standard for the last home game every year since the team started.  Having attended last years final game, I distinctly remember only certain items being 50% off, whereas other items were either discounted less or even full price.  Foam fingers do not deteriorate in the offseason.

The ownership trio comprised of Dr. Michael Slyk, Tim Chesney, and Dr. Jon Saadey have yet to come forward and officially announce whether or not the team will be back or not.  These three guys are respectable Youngstown-area businessmen who were passionate about their product.  The product lacked several things over the past couple of seasons including two key ingredients – wins and profit.

The lack of wins were accounted to several factors including injuries, poor coaching, and the lack of one quarterback to lead the team.  Look at a successful program like Wilkes-Barre in AF2.  Ryan Vena has been there, they have chemistry without shuttling guys on and off the roster hoping to strike lightning in a bottle.  The combination of Chris MacKeown and Tom Zetts could work over time.  Mad respect for MacKeown, I never met a coach who was so hell-bent on winning.  Zetts is wrapped up in his real-life world of teaching and coaching to consider making AF2 money, and I can’t blame him.

The pay structure of AF2 is pretty bad.  A player can make $250 if their team wins or $200 if they lose.  No PERS, no cable at the apartment, and no cell phone allowance.  Don’t blame Thunder ownership, it’s not their scale, it is the league’s.

The lack of a profit can be attributed to a few obvious factors.  Winning creates a better opportunity to draw more fans.  I always felt that the early Thunder teams, which featured a local player or two, would draw you 1,000 more fans a game.  Mike Stanec, former Thunder linbacker and YSU alum,  had friends and family at every game that first season, I sat near them once.  Tom Zetts brought in at least 1,000 fans to the last game who probably would not have shown up had he not been suited up.  Coach MacKeown and I had the talk about local talent versus trying to win as to what would draw fans.  He seemed to think winning would be the better cure.  I think its an infusion of both.  Hell, let’s face it, I could have kicked better than Derek Shorejs did this season.  Why not sign a local kicker like Brian Palmer at the beginning of the season?

The other factor I thought that killed the Thunder was parking and concessions.  Granted, the Covelli Centre had the contract drawn up and management knew their hands were tied on promotions.  People paying $6 for a beer and $10 to park does not cut it.  A Scrappers Thursday game takes the same $16 and parks four cars and buys six beers.  Do the math.  It is not financially sound to have a sports team play at the Covelli Centre if they will not bend on parking and concessions.  I am curious to see if the Youngstown Phantoms will have the same problems with the “pricey” costs involved.

I’m not sure if, but rather when, the ownership group will announce the end of arena football in Youngstown.

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